Crepes, anyone? New outlet is a hit at the Staten Island Mall

Crepes at Crepes du Nord come in two styles: Sweet and savory. Customers can watch the chef cook up the ingredients and piece the meal together right in front of them.Staten Island Advance/Mark Stein

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A new choice of food — different from the rest at the Staten Island Mall — has customers and employees flocking to an eatery that’s not part of the Food Court.

Crepes du Nord, opened in November. It offers a French take on food to those interested in trying something fresh and unlike anything else in the New Springville area.

You might ask, what’s a crepe?

“It’s a flat French pancake which is very famous in Europe,” said shop general manager Mike Elbatanony, who oversees the restaurant’s three locations in the tri-state area. “People can eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner.”

Crepes come in two styles: Sweet and savory. Customers can watch the chef cook up the ingredients and piece the meal together right in front of them.

Sweet crepes combine a blend of Nutella (chocolate spread) and fruit, such as bananas or strawberries, as well as marshmallows, caramel, apple sauce, roasted pecans, farm butter and vegetables.

“Nutella is the No. 1 choice here,” said Elbatanony, who added that dark and white chocolate are also popular.

Savory crepes provide a different taste and can be the perfect substitute for a couple slices of pizza or a hamburger. Ingredients for these consist of chicken, Swiss cheese, smoked turkey, zucchini cheddar and eggs, ham, onions, peppers, and salmon, which gives patrons a chance to mix and match items according to their taste.

Crepes are priced between $4 and $8. Folks looking to pay for two smaller crepes — sweet and savory — will spend $6.95, said the general manager.

The ingredients used, notably the organic butter, milk and eggs, come from Blenheim Hill Farm, a 160-acre eco-farm in Upstate New York that also grows fruits, berries, vegetable, and produces meats. The founder of the Crepes du Nord operates the farm.

The stand was popular during the holiday season, said the general manager, but the Mall’s crowd has diminished since Christmas. However, Elbatanony anticipates the volume to increase toward the end of February.

Elbatanony also noted Staten Islanders are very friendly, lovely people.

“They have time to chat and ask questions,” he said.

Two women were amazed at the s’mores-style (marshmallows and dark chocolate) crepe Monday afternoon during their first visit to the eatery, which faces Sears from outside the Food Court.

“It’s really good,” said Guadalupe Hernandez of West Brighton. “I never knew about it.”

Her friend, Destiny Bangura of Castleton Corners, recommended the two stop at the location.

“They have a variety of kinds I like. It’s worth it,” she said.

Added Ms. Hernandez, “It’s very unique.”

The buzz about Crepes du Nord is growing, and employees often return to the restaurant for a bite after work, especially since the business offers them 15 percent off.

“Word of mouth is working very well around here,” said Elbatanony, who operates the shop’s two other locations — one on Stone Street in Manhattan and the other in Bridgewater Commons (N.J.). “First, you give them the customer service, then the taste and flavor they’re looking for, as well as the price. They come back.”

For more information, including a menu and prices, visit www.crepesdunord.com.